List of popular things in the UK in the 1950s

For most people, the 1950s was the decade that brought the UK out of the austerity of WWII. It was a time when many industries went from strength to strength, bringing new and exciting things to the attention of the public.

Television

It was in the 1950s that televisions became very popular. During the war years, there were no television broadcasts, but the industry was boosted by the decision to broadcast the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Some people bought televisions just to make sure that they didn’t missed out on that event. Variety of entertainment shows were popular in the 50s in the UK and shows such as Sunday Night at the London Palladium and Opportunity Knocks drew large audiences.

Music

The 1950s was the decade that brought rock and roll to the UK. Bands such as Bill Haley & His Comets and Elvis Presley proved very popular with the younger generation keen to have some fun after the war. However, that doesn’t mean that other music went unheard and crooners such as Frank Sinatra topped the charts regularly.

Around the home

Household tasks suddenly became easier with the plethora of gadgets designed to take the hard work out of housework. Vacuum cleaners, toasters, refrigerators and washing machines all started to appear in British homes. Suddenly, the laundry didn’t take a whole day to complete and could be done as and when needed and cooking a meal didn’t mean that you had to start preparing it right after the breakfast.

Holidays

Family holidays became popular in the 1950s, with many families using their hard-earned money and time off to head to the seaside. Holiday camps such as Butlin’s captured the imagination – offering accommodation, activities and entertainment all in one place. Evenings were spent enjoying the entertainment, which ranged from bingo to dancing to the latest chart toppers such as Cliff Richard or Bill Haley & His Comets.